ITS Deployment Evaluation Page 1

IntroductionRecent marketplace interest in connected vehicle technology combinedwith improved signal control software, traffic detection, wirelesscommunications, and shared database management systemshave presented new opportunities to improve operations on arterialnetworks. In order to leverage developing technologies, the UnitedStates Department of Transportation (USDOT) is working with industryexperts to advance several connected vehicle research programs. TheSignal Phase and Timing (SPaT) Challenge and the Connected Vehicle (CV)Pilot Deployment program are two ongoing efforts aimed at developingconnected vehicle technologies in real-world operational environmentswhere cutting-edge mobile and roadside ITS technologies can be tested andproven.

The SPaT Challenge supports testing of 5.9 GHz Dedicated Short-RangeCommunications (DSRC) infrastructure and encourages cooperationbetween equipment manufacturers and state and local InfrastructureOwners and Operators (IOOs) to establish SPaT messaging in at least onecorridor in every state by 2020 where wireless connected vehicles operate.Concurrently, the CV-Pilot Program enables field operational testing for abroad range of interconnected ITS applications to assess performance ofconnected vehicle technology on test tracks and evaluate impacts in livetraffic. Both programs are cooperative public-private efforts.

In the future, a significant challenge for partnering agencies will be toachieve consensus on high-level designs for interoperable systemsnationwide while accommodating local applications of interest. To promoteinteroperability, the USDOT works with a variety of international anddomestic Standards Development Organizations (SDOs) to supportconsistent and rigorous development of ITS standards and planning toolsthat can be used to align industry efforts and accelerate deployment [1].Overall, these standards and tools are designed to encourage developmentof sustainable solutions that are independent of individual proprietaryproducts or applications.

Arterial ManagementIntelligent Intersections

Executive BriefingArterial Management: Intelligent Intersections

Highlights

• Simulation models indicate intelligent intersections can reduce rear-end conflicts by 46 to 54 percent with only 10 percent connected vehicle market penetration.

• Intersection SPaT data shared with connected vehicles equipped with intelligent cruise control features can smooth speed profiles and reduce fuel consumption up to 40 percent.

Table of Contents:

• Introduction……….…………… 1• Benefits……….…………………..2• Costs………………………………..3• Best Practices………….......... 3• Case Study………………………. 4• References……………………….4

This brief is based on past evaluation data contained in the ITS Knowledge Resources database at: www.itskrs.its.dot.gov The database is maintained by the USDOT’s ITS JPO Evaluation Program to support informed decision making regarding ITS investments by tracking the effectiveness of deployed ITS. The brief presents benefits, costs and lessons learned from past evaluations of ITS projects.

Source: Getty images

FHWA-JPO-18-733

Introduction (continued)

Advancements in connected data technology istransforming traffic signal control systems in terms oftraffic signal controller logic, operations, andperformance. When connected vehicles and intersectionsignal controllers are fully networked and equipped withtwo-way communications it will become possible tooptimize the efficiency of both systems while improvingperformance across the transportation network. Wheretraffic signal controllers and Roadside Units (RSUs) areable to exchange SPaT and MAP messages withapproaching vehicles, these vehicles will be able to adjustmovements while communicating geo-referencing data tocentralized traffic management stations so controller logiccan be adjusted in real-time to improve safety andmobility. Where rapid information exchange is required asneeded for intersection safety applications, large scalefield tests have shown that DSRC technology can meetlow latency requirements. Although cellular V2X (vehicle-to-everything) and 5G technologies are considered viablealternatives, field testing is still underway to verify thatthese technologies can meet specifications required foradvanced traffic signal control, multi-modal priority, andnetwork surveillance applications.

One of the most compelling opportunities presented byconnected vehicles is to communicate with infrastructure.Across an urban network, connected vehicle data can becollected by traffic management systems to optimizeoverall network performance, improve safety, andmitigate congestion and its environmental impacts at alocal and regional level. Findings from several fieldoperational tests and simulation efforts are highlighted inFigure-1.

The online versions of the executive briefing featureinteractive graphs that contain all the data points includedin the ranges. Here, each metric has a number after thetext, representing the number of data points used tocreate the range; no number means only there was onlyone data point.

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BENEFITS

Getty images

Benefits

Improved traffic signal control continues to be one of the most cost-effective ways to improve safety and mobility in most jurisdictions.

Figure 1- Benefits for Intelligent Intersection Signal Control

Source: Getty images

Intelligent Intersection Signal Control Improves Traffic Flow

Source: USDOT

Best Practices

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BESTPRACTICES

V2I Hub Deployment Guide provides agencies a roadmap through the pre-deployment and post-deployment process to supplement existing agency procedures.

As the USDOT encourages state and local entities todeploy connected vehicle technology under theirjurisdiction, the V2I Hub Deployment Guide wascreated to provide an outline with step-by-stepinstructions for deploying V2I Hub software andhardware [2]. This deployment guide outlines a phasedapproach and provides insight into needs analysis,planning, design, procurement, field deployment, andpost deployment issues (2018-00838).

RSU DSRC infrastructure deployment costs can rangefrom $13,000 to $21,000 per site, with average costsestimated at $17,600 (2014-00325).

Estimated annual DSRC site operations, maintenance andreplacement costs can range from $1,950 to $3,050(2014-00329).

Costs for backhaul telecommunications used to support aRSU for vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) applications canvary from $3,000, if the site has sufficient backhaul andwill only need upgrades, to $40,000 if the site requires acompletely new backhaul system (2017-00376).

COSTS

Costs

As part of the Dynamic Mobility Applications (DMA)program USDOT supports development of Multi-ModalIntelligent Traffic Signal Systems (MMITSS). MMITSS arethe next generation of traffic signal systems that seek toprovide a comprehensive traffic information frameworkto serve all modes of transportation, including generalvehicles, transit, emergency vehicles, freight fleets,pedestrians, and bicyclists in a connected vehicleenvironment. MMITSS applications such as IntelligentTraffic Signal Systems (I-SIG) use vehicle location andmovement information from connected vehicles as well asinfrastructure measurement of non-equipped vehicles toimprove intersection signal control operations (2015-01052).

Use cases drawn from MMITSS projects have beenincluded in the ISO (International Organization forStandardization) Standard 19091 to support V2I systemsdevelopment.

Roadside Unit (RSU) Mounted on Intersection Traffic Light

Source: FDOT

Field testing suggests MMITSS can reduce average delay up to 13.6 percent for both equipped and non-equipped vehicles, and improve travel time reliability by 56 percent.

Case Study

Georgia DOT Operational SPaT Deployments

As part the nationwide SPaT Challenge, the Georgia DOT(GDOT) implemented a two phase project to improvesafety, mobility, freight, and partnerships in the Atlantametropolitan area (2018-00409). The project includeddevelopment of back-end infrastructure, networkcomponents, and business processes to support broadvehicle-to-infrastructure applications.

Phase 1 of the project used DSRC to exchange SPaT andMAP messages between intersection systems, connectedvehicles, and pedestrians with connected devices tosupport the following applications:

• Red light warning. Safety for drivers – alerts of inability to safely clear an intersection

• Pedestrian in crosswalk. Safety for drivers and pedestrians – turning vehicles have additional awareness of other users

• Phase service remaining. Efficiency for drivers – alerts drivers for safe intersection passage or efficient stopping

• Green speed for coordinated signals. Efficiency for drivers – informs drivers of optimal driving speeds through coordinated signals to minimize stops.

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CASE STUDY

Phase 2 of the project planned through June 2020 isexpected to include connections at 1,700 traffic signals,integrate ramp metering, and disseminate roadway andtraffic information to third parties via an Open DataStream.

RSUs and OBUs (on-board units) were identified as majorcost drivers for the project.

• 1,700 Roadside units at $1,300 per device.• RSU deployment at $850 per location.• RSU configuration at $2,000 per device.• OBU costs at $1,000 per device (optional).

Additional evaluation and technical performance data will likely become available as the system continues to be tested and transitions to operations.

Source: Getty images

An Intelligent Traffic Signal

Table 1: GDOT SPaT Challenge Cost Drivers

References1. "ITS Standards Program." ITS Joint Program Office

Website, https://www.standards.its.dot.gov/.

2. V2I Hub Guidebook. USDOT FHWA, March 2018. https://www.itsforge.net/data/repo/docs/V2I_Hub_Guidebook.pdf.

DEPLOYMENT ESTIMATE

FY 2019 (600 RSUs)

FY 2020 (1100 RSUs)

RSU Equipment $780,000 $1,430,000

RSU Deployment $510,000 $935,000

RSU Configuration & Support $1,200,000 $2,200,000

TOTAL $2,490,000 $4,565,000